Rachel Zegler opens up about criticism over 'Snow White' and west side story roles

Rachel Zegler has spoken candidly about the criticism she has faced throughout her rising Hollywood career.

In a new interview with Harper’s Bazaar, the 24-year-old actress addressed backlash surrounding her casting in both West Side Story and Disney’s upcoming Snow White, revealing the criticism often centered on her identity and heritage.

Zegler, who has a Polish father and a Colombian mother, said she found herself caught in conflicting expectations from critics. 

Some questioned whether she was “Hispanic enough” to portray Maria in West Side Story, while others argued her Colombian heritage made her an inappropriate choice for the role of Snow White.

“I was told I wasn’t enough of one thing for West Side Story and too much of another for Snow White,” Zegler said. “It was a really confusing time to be in my early twenties and hearing that.”

Despite the criticism, the actress said she remains proud of her cultural background and refuses to change who she is for public approval.

“I grew up proud of being Colombian, eating the food, wearing the dresses, drinking the coffee, doing all the things that were so intrinsic to who I was as a kid and who I am as an adult,” she said. 

“But I do think there’s an argument to be made that, in the public eye at least, when you’re two things, you’re simultaneously nothing. But I refuse to assimilate for anybody else’s comfort.”

Zegler also reflected on how generational experiences shape perspectives on identity. 

She noted that her mother, like many immigrants of her generation, viewed assimilation differently because it was often necessary for survival and stability.

“It was the experience of so many people in my family: the idea that you will get a job, you will be American, and that’s how you survive, that’s the only way you’re guaranteed a future,” she explained.

Beyond conversations about identity, Zegler also criticized the scrutiny women face regarding their appearance in the public eye. 

She said comments about women’s bodies and faces remain constant, regardless of what they say or do.

Recalling a recent remark that she had “aged very well,” the actress responded with humor. “I was like, ‘I’m still in utero! I’m a zygote,’” she joked.

Zegler added that she does not feel pressured to fight the natural process of aging, instead viewing it as a sign of a life fully lived. 

She pointed to her mother as an example, noting that she embraces her gray hair rather than covering it.

“I have a mum who embraced that — she refuses to dye her hair because she loves her greys,” Zegler said. “That’s the example I have going forward.”

The actress’ comments arrive as she continues to navigate the spotlight following her breakout performance in West Side Story and her upcoming role in Disney’s live-action Snow White.